Gaining increased knowledge of the regional security environment, 150 U.S. and international Fellows completed the Asia-Pacific Orientation Course (APOC 15-3) Sept. 4 at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. The five-day APOC provides an overview of regional trends in socio-economic, political, defense, health and environmental arenas, and how they interrelate. Attendees are generally junior- to mid-grade military members and their civilian counterparts in various security-related fields. Pictured above, APOC attendees receive a brief on U.S. foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific region (left) and APCSS faculty member U.S. Army Maj. Daniel Kent (right) helps lead an APOC seminar session. To read more, click here.

Advanced Security Cooperation course in session

The Advanced Security Cooperation course (ASC 15-2) is in session at DKI APCSS Sept. 24 to Oct. 29. One hundred fourteen Fellows from 42 locations are taking part in a course designed to enhance critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and decision-making skills for mid-career and senior security practitioners from throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The overall aim is to educate, empower and connect Fellows with the long-term objective of improving security sector governance and resiliency. Pictured at right, an ASC Fellow takes part in one of several seminar discussions.

Center discusses Philippine security environment

Four members of the DKI APCSS faculty joined with the Philippines’ National Security Council and the National Defense College of the Philippines Sept. 21 to 23 to discuss new features defining the Philippines security environment. The event titled “Global and Regional Trends Affecting Philippine Security” took place at the NDCP campus on Camp Aguinaldo in Manila. The DKI APCSS team provided subject matter expertise and facilitation, according to Dr. Virginia Watson, the Center’s academic lead for the event. Joining Watson were fellow faculty members Drs. Lori Forman, Mohan Malik and Rouben Azizian.

DKI APCSS aids Lao PDR's prep for ASEAN chairmanship

A "Seminar on the Preparation for Lao PDR's ASEAN Chairmanship 2016" took place Sept. 17 in Vientiane. The Lao PDR Ministry of Foreign Affairs' ASEAN Department hosted the event with support from DKI APCSS and the U.S. Embassy in Lao PDR. Forty-nine participants from 18 ministries, agencies and offices participated in the event, which APCSS faculty member Dr. Al Oehlers helped facilitate. Two APCSS alumni served as speakers: Khine Myat Chit (ASEAN Secretariat, ASC 13-1) and Aimee Na Nan (Thailand, CCM 09-1). Pictured at left is Professor Oehlers (middle) with four APCSS alumni.

Center supports senior enlisted meeting

Twelve U.S. and international senior enlisted leaders from 12 nations met Sept. 29 to 30 at DKI APCSS. The group met in conjunction with the September Chiefs of Defense Conference held in Honolulu. Center professors Dr. Rouben Azizian, Kerry Nankivell and Jessica Ear led a panel discussion on topics such as maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and security sector development. DKI APCSS Director Lt. Gen. (Ret) Dan Leaf briefed the group on inclusion of women in the security sector.

Director meets with alumni attending CHOD event

The annual Asia-Pacific Chiefs of Defense Conference took place in Honolulu this year. Among participants in the September event were several alumni pictured at right with U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. (Ret) Dan Leaf, director of DKI APCSS (center). They are (from left to right) Cambodia Gen. Eth Sarath (SEC 08-2), Papua New Guinea Brig. Gen. Gilbert Toropo (EC 03-3), Fiji Commodore Viliame Naupoto (EC 02-3), and Tonga's Brigadier Honorable Lord Fielakapa (EC 01-1, CCM 12-1).

“Cost-effective Maritime Security Cooperation Against Piracy in the Somali Region,” is a paper by a recent graduate of the Advanced Security Cooperation course (ASC 15-1) Cmdr. Zeeshan Kareem, who serves with the Pakistani Navy. Kareem addresses current international efforts to combat piracy in sea lanes off the Horn of Africa. He explains that Somali Piracy has cost nations and companies billions of dollars in losses over the years, including more than $1 billion in 2013 alone. His paper advocates for continued international collaboration, in both military and non-military terms, despite a lessening of Somali piracy since 2012.